Despite stakes, the Colts will not rest starters against Texans

Colts coach Chuck Pagano returned to work this week after undergoing treatment for leukemia. Even though his team is 10-5 and locked into the fifth seed in the AFC with nothing to play for but pride, Pagano isn’t giving his starters Sunday off.

“We set some goals for ourselves a long time ago, and watching what this team has done in my absence for the last three months, at this point we owe it to ourselves, this community, our fans and our city,” Pagano said. “It’s just not in our DNA and these kids’ DNA to go out and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to rest this guy or that guy.’

“I know where we’re seeded and all that stuff, but we want to go in with some momentum. Like every game, it doesn’t matter who it is; we’re going to try to win.”

Schaub expects playoff-like game
Even though the Colts have nothing to play for since their wild-card berth is already settled, quarterback Matt Schaub said he expects Lucas Oil Stadium to have a playoff-type atmosphere on Sunday.

“This is like a playoff game for us,” Schaub said. “This is a team that is in the playoffs themselves, and we’re in their building. All that we can gain from playing well and getting a win on the road, it’s definitely a playoff-type game.”

Team healthy for Week 17
The Texans are as healthy as they’re going to get at this time of the season.

Cornerback Alan Ball (foot) is the only player on the roster who didn’t practice. Running back Arian Foster (irregular heartbeat) was back on the practice field Wednesday. Outside linebacker Brooks Reed (groin) returned, too. Both are expected to start against the Colts.